Prologue 01
May 30th, 2006
But as soon as her feet hit the sidewalk, she forgot her tears. Instead her thoughts turned toward her destination—a place she'd been to many times this summer. It was her secret place. And although she had told Saena of its general location for the sake of The Plan, she had never actually shown it to her best friend.
[Background Music: "Amongst the Ruins" by Delerium]
She had stumbled upon it on a particularly lonely day about a week after her mother left. Told to get out the house by her dad, Brandee had wandered blindly down the sidewalk and had soon found herself in front of the forest at the end of the street. The day had been hot and muggy but the clear blue sky had been empty of the relief that clouds might have brought. However, the shadows of the forest had promised a welcoming coolness.
Even though she had lived on this street all her life, she had never gone into the woods—mostly because her mother had told her not to but also because its dark shadows scared her. But Mom could no longer tell her what to do and the shade of the trees had looked comforting rather than scary.
So, into the woods she had gone and soon found a small grove that seemed made for a little girl. Almost everyday since then she had returned to her secret place to spend some time alone. Part of her had wanted to share her hideaway with Saena—it would be a perfect place to bring their Jem dolls and go pretend-camping. But another part of her wanted to keep this place a secret—a place for herself alone.
Now, a smile touched her lips as she looked around her grove. A sense of security, like she felt when hugging her favorite stuffed animal, enfolded her. Yes, she wanted to keep this place to herself even if it was only for just one more day.
But something seemed different today. What was it?
Her sense of security started to unravel as she cocked her head trying to figure out what was wrong.
Unable to see anything different in her grove, she walked up the hill a short ways. At the crest of the hill, the heat of the sun on the forest floor made the air shimmer and wave like water.
Wait a sec…
33 Responses to “Prologue 01”
May 31st, 2006 at 1:45 am
Agg…no! Don't leave it there!
There's only one word for that: AWESOME! You're a natural stroy-teller, the pictures are excellent!
May 31st, 2006 at 5:43 am
Oh yes…that's your house from Kincaid Street, isn't it, with some tweaking? Just wondering. Anyway, the study and bedrooms are lifelike and really well-designed. I love your Kincaid Street house!
May 31st, 2006 at 5:48 am
Not a cliffhanger! D: The story was getting so interesting! I really like the pictures, very realistic and it seems a lot like watching a movie. Great work! 😀
May 31st, 2006 at 7:34 am
Thank you! I was a bit nervous at first, but it's a relief just to finally get it posted.
Amalinball:Yep, that's the Kincaid Street house. 🙂 I didn't change the layout of it but I did redecorate it to reflect the Taylor household (Brandee and Allan). I'm glad I finally got the chance to use it in a story!
Jasmine: You said:
That's what I was attempting to do. I'm glad it worked! Phew!
May 31st, 2006 at 2:48 pm
woot! great start, Kara! i can't wait for more 🙂
May 31st, 2006 at 3:25 pm
*gasp* What an incredible first chapter! I'm hooked too now, and can't wait to find out what happens!
June 1st, 2006 at 5:46 am
Kathy and Christin: Thank you so much, girls! 😀
June 3rd, 2006 at 1:25 am
I have been anxiously waiting for your story to begin and I am not in the least disappointed. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the next chapter.
June 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
OMG, how could I have missed this when you posted it???
*dies of embarrassment*
~~~
Hon, you had me reaching for my hankie from the first paragraph, not to mention the fact that I love where you decided to end it (I'm a big fan of cliffhangers). As for the pictures? They are perfection. This was so much worth the wait. 😀
June 4th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Nvrrdy: Aw! Thank you so much! I'm so glad I didn't disappoint you. 😀
Eph: Well, you're my inspiration when it comes to pictures. So, thank you as well!
And, yes, aren't cliffhangers the best? They are both maddening (at least for the reader) and fun (at least for me…mwahahaha!).
Oh, and if you were crying in this chapter, you better bring a box of tissues to the next chapter…I'm just sayin'. 😉
June 4th, 2006 at 8:14 am
Awwww… *blushes*
~~~
I'm well-stocked with tissues in anticipation of your next set of updates! 😀
June 5th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
….dont die….dont die………
June 6th, 2006 at 8:15 am
I don't think Brandee dies, Ashley. She was in a teaser a while ago, older but still realistic. But let's hope she's not too mentally scarred from this experience!
June 6th, 2006 at 8:56 am
WOOOWW. I didnt get to look at all of the wonderful pictures because my computer decided to go slooooww. But the story is amazing. Im so late reading it…that saddens me. But its still fabulous. And how did you do that with Brandee in teh window and wow. I wonder if her dad will even notice…
June 7th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Wow. Not only is it beautiful to look at, it's a great story.
I'm officially sucked in. I can't wait for the next installation.
June 7th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Ashley & Amalinaball: My lips are sealed. I don't want to spoil anything. 😉
Eva: Eep! Sometimes I forget that not everyone has broadband or DSL. All these pictures must be a pain on dialup. I hope you eventually got to look at them all.
As to Brandee and the window…which picture exactly did you mean? The one where she is sitting looking over the ruins? Or the one where she's eating chips?
Anissa: Thank you! Today I'm officially starting the picture-taking phase of the next chapter. This one is going to be a bit longer and more complex than this first chapter. But I'm looking forward to the challenge!
June 8th, 2006 at 7:41 am
Yea, i eventually went back and looked at all of the pictures. I was in such a rush the first time to actually know what was going on that I just wanted to read. Teh picture I mentioned was the one where Brandee was sitting in the window. Its so cool.
i can't wait 'til the next update, no mattre how long from now. I have a feeling that the dude in the door is an elf and somehow he makes Brandee one. Dunno. I just can't wait.
June 8th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Eva: Yay! I'm glad you finally got to see all the pictures.
As to how I got Brandee to sit on the wall: I had her sit on a chair and then, after pausing the game and using the "moveobjects on" cheat, I placed her on the wall so it would look like she was sitting on it.
It's actually the castle wall top by Windkeeper that she's sitting on. It's perfect because it's exactly the same height as a chair.
And I love to read peoples' speculations as to what is going to happen in the story. It's very interesting to me. So, thank you for telling me what you think is going to happen next. 🙂
June 8th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Really? My computer wont download that stuff…
June 8th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Hey Kara and Kim! I'm Alyssa's friend. I would like to talk to you more like alyssa is and stuff like that. Really I would! Your story about brandee is really cool! i like it alot…i cant wait until the next part is finished so i can read it! write me back! thanks!
June 11th, 2006 at 10:58 am
You have a wonderful talent for writing stories!! Don't stop there, we want to hear more!
June 12th, 2006 at 7:55 am
Naomi: *blushes* Thank you so much! Don't worry, you'll hear more. Now that my story is rolling, you'll not be able to shut me up! I'm afraid you'll have to be patient with me though—I'm a slow worker.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:36 am
Found your site through Jade's isle of Thyme.
Wonderful start to a story. The pictures are top notch. I can just imagine the time you spent on them 🙂
I shall be back to check on your story. Thanks for entertaining us with this gem!
regards
e2b
http://earl2blue.livejournal.com/
July 9th, 2006 at 8:32 am
e2b: Welcome to the site! Thank you so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. I'm also very glad that you are enjoying the story so far. 😀
November 11th, 2006 at 9:40 am
I enjoyed your story so much. You write so well and your lovely pictures just added to the already great story.
November 25th, 2006 at 11:39 am
Hi. I'm new to this website. I've really enjoyed the story so far! When will there be more?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Abbie: Welcome to the site and thank you! I'm currently working on the next chapter but it's coming along slowly–the holidays and other projects cut into the amount of time I get to spend on it. So, I'll have to beg for you patience. It'll be worth it, I promise! 🙂
February 5th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
You really have a knack for suspenseful endings. I'm really intrigued about who it is that has stumbled on her.
Brandee is so charming. I'm always in awe of those who can write so well from the perspective of a younger generation, that perfect balance of innocence, naviety and seeing the world in a slightly different shade than adults.
Wonderful stuff!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Found your link from 100 Days of Sorrow…
Really wonderful, gorgeous, lush shots, and fascinating writing. I love it! Reminds me a little bit of Ursula leGuin's "The Beginning Place"…that slide between worlds.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Wow … There are no other words for it. Your picture taking skills are just mindblowing – it seems a world other than the poxy Sims 2. Anghard placed it perfectly in respect to how you've written Brandee's part – so lifelike and intriguing, not the least bit annoying (how my sim kids are). So, well done. I'll be reading this story in its enterity, for sure.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
:up: Cool begining, and awesome ruins..
December 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
this is awesome ! more please 😀 x
September 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Wow, how..innovative!! I've never even considered writing in a child's point of view…great work, onward to the next chapter!